2009-03-13

So yesterday, after writing my Thursday post, I was thinking about something to write for my Friday “TGIF” post. I decided before I left work, that I needed to write about Zachary.

Why?

So glad you asked! Because at the end of January, his therapist came to the school to meet with the teachers, principal, special ed director, counselors, parapro and us for his IEP--or in layman’s terms Individualized Educational Plan.

During this meeting, Dr. Frank explained what actually goes on inside a child’s brain…a child like Zachary and gave them real life examples of how to deal with situations that arise. And she did it so much more eloquently than I ever could have. Here’s the thing that was a little annoying to me: Nothing that she said is really anything that I hadn’t said before. But before, I was the crazy, overprotective mother. Dr. Frank has a PhD behind her name which made them sit up and listen. And I’m thankful for that.

Because after that point, and for the last 6 weeks things have been going along fabulously. No restraints at home. No restraints at school. On March 2, he did get sent home for throwing a tantrum and throwing his crayons on the floor (got sent home for it being an “act of violence”) but I was proud that he didn’t throw them AT someone. That’s improvement! He has been having really good reports come home daily (6-8 yeses a day with 8 being the most he can get!)

Today would have been one whole week of 8 yeses a day. That’s what we were striving for…and if he achieved that he’d have gotten a special treat this weekend.

I should have NEVER thought this. I swear I jinxed it.

Last Night: Bedtime.

He was working on a cootie catcher (didn’t we do those later in elementary school?) I had already told him twice to get into bed. Lucas and I had read his KEEP books and worked on his sight word list already. It’s time to get into bed. I tell Zachary that because he didn’t follow directions there would be no book tonight. Still, nothing. I go into the kitchen and take the cootie catcher away from him. He grabs it back rips it to shreds, starts kicking me. This starts a 40 minute war with Mr. Hyde. As per our agreement with Dr. Frank and Zachary, he is not allowed to hit, punch, kick, bite, scratch, attack physically in any way anyone purposefully. If he does, and tries to continue to do so or hurt himself, he will be physically restrained.

My child is strong. He’s a 6 year old, 65 lb muscle machine. Chuck and I restrained Zachary until he told us he was ready to be calm again. Then he and I cried together. I explained that I do not want to hurt him. I do not like restraining him. It hurts my feelings just as it hurts his feeling to have me do it. (tears are welling up now) We fell asleep cuddling together. Mr. Hyde was gone and my adorable, loving Dr. Jekyll was back.

I was worried about what today would hold and so was not horribly surprised when I got a call from the school to come and pick up Zachary for fighting. However, the situation is leaving a bad taste in my mouth. Another boy started pushing Zachary (this has been confirmed by both children) and Zachary asked him to stop, but didn’t push back (again, confirmed by both children). Zachary got angrier and angrier as the other boy kept pushing until Zachary snapped and punched him and ran away to get control.

Now I don’t condone violence. But Zachary was the only one sent home. Didn’t that bullying-violence kinda go both ways? I’m proud that Zachary stood up for himself….even if I don’t think he was necessarily right for punching.

When I got there to pick up Zachary, he was already calm and collected and had processed the events with the sub-principal. Everything was fine and right again.

I don’t think I have to say it, but Zachary didn’t get a perfect day today. Like I said…I think I jinxed it. I hope we have a good weekend….pray we don’t have Mr. Hyde in our presence.

2009-03-12

I've decided that I'm going to work to post every day for the rest of the month of March. Kind of like my own artistic, mental break. Plus, honestly, I LOVE going back and reading my thoughts and feelings and what the kids were doing later that month, that year, or the next.

Now, here's the problem. After I made this resolution yesterday and started on my way to doing that by posting for my first time in a month or so, I found out this morning that my wonderful, darling husband somehow knocked our laptop off the arm of the couch and onto the floor. Breaking off the pin of the power cord.

Fantastic.

Because I don't know about your laptops, but ours has a battery lifespan of, oh, about 7.5 minutes before it's beeping at us saying "Hey! Plug me in, I'm dying over here!"

So the simple thing is to go out and buy a new power cord, right? Sure! But see, we've made another resolution which is to stick to our budget! Which is much easier said than done as there is so much fun stuff out there to do and see and buy with or for our kids and ourselves. Problem is, there's not enough money to buy anything off the budget and still pay our bills and our babysitter. Oh, and food.

And since I'm on the topic of food. My kids eat. A LOT. Since last Thursday (when I went grocery shopping for our 2 week supply of food) they have eaten 5 boxes of cereal, 1 box of oatmeal, 16 waffles, 12 krabby patties; that's just for breakfasts! I don't know what we're going to do when the boys get older and really hit their growth spurts! (I'll jump to growth spurts in just a minute.) This morning I explained that I wasn't sure what we going to eat for breakfast next week as I won't be shopping until next Thursday and they only have about 12 krabby patties left plus a few waffles. I guess I'll be getting up a few extra minutes early to make them some farm fresh scrambled eggs.

Now, I understand that eating all this healthy food and lots of it along with their 3 glasses of milk a day causes them to grow. But seriously? In September, we bought Zachary several pairs of new-to-us jeans in a size 8 slim. While the slims are starting to get slightly snug, they are not tight. However, the size 8 length is something to be desired. Most of those jeans are now about 3/4 inch above his ankles. He's still only SIX and will be needing size 9 slims all too soon. Thank God that summer is coming and he can wear shorts.

(Zachary being a spy...with his lego gun, spy gear radio, and swim goggles)

And Lucas isn't much better. He's in size 6's already and isn't even in kindergarden yet. I went to a friends' house the other night and Lucas was standing a good 4 inches over Gabe...who is a year older than him. It always surprises me to see my children next to kids of their own age.

(Lucas enjoying his pizza at the indoor waterpark. Most of the best pics of Luke are of eating, hmmmmmm.....)

So, look for me. Mark your pages. Put it on the calendar. And bug me if I don't post ;)